Gripping device.



W. D. ROOP.

GRIPPING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION 1711,21) 11110.29, 1909.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

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rrn s'rarns PATENT WILLIAM DICKEY ROOF, OF MARION, INDIANA.

GRIPPING DEVICE.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM DICKEY Roor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, county of Grant, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gripping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to gripping devices, and more specifically to that class thereof designed for employment in bowling.

The object of my invention is the provision of a simple and effective gripping device of the character mentioned which may be quickly and easily adjusted in or detached from the bowling ball and by means of which any one may throw the bowling ball with greater facility and case than is possible by the method now generally in use; but more especially to assist those who possess a weak or delicate hand to engage in and enjoy the game with comfort and the assurance of success with those who have a more hardy hand.

A further object is the provision of a device of the character stated which will be adapted by the incorporation of slight changes in its details, such as might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, to serve in other capacities than that above stated.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

lVith these objects in view my invention consists in a. gripping device characterized as above mentioned and in certain details of construction and arrangement of parts all as will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure l is a sectional front elevation of the preferred form of my device showing the application thereof to a bowling ball, the section being taken on substantially the line :r-a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a similar sectional side elevation thereof taken on substantially the line y-y of Fig. 1. F 3 is a transverse section taken on line a 2 of Fig. 2, with the actuating lever of the device in the dotted line position in said figure. Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections taken on line e -o and 'w w respectively of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of my device, and Fig. 7 is an en Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 29, 1909.

Patented Sept. 2?, i ltl.

Serial No. 535,464.

larged transverse section taken on line w-u of Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings 1 indicates the body of the device comprised in which is a handle portion or grip 2 which is formed so as to best fit the human hand, and a forwardly and downwardly projecting substantially cylindrically formed integral shank 3, the latter being of a form and di mensions such as to adapt the same to be snugly received in the usual thumb hole l; provided in a bowling ball which is indi cated by 5. Said shank portion is inclosed or enveloped in a metallic sleeve or casing 6 whereby a smooth, non-frictional contacting surface for engagement with the lateral walls of the thumb hole of the bowl ing ball is provided. Said shank 3 and the adjacent portion of the handle part 2 are provided with a central longitudinally ex tending slot or bifurcation 7 coplanar with said. handle part.

Having its for "aid extremity 8 fulcrumed to a pin 9, the extremities of which are rigidly secured in the body of the handie, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, is a rearwardly projecting lever 10. The rearward end it of said lever, as seen, protrudes from the body 1 and is bent into the form of a hook and tanswrsely enlarged in order to adapt the same to accommodate thefinger. Having their rearward or upper extremities pivoted as at 12 to said lever 10, the same pr jecting forwardly therein-om in slot 7 slightly beyond the :l'orward extremity of the shank 3, is a pair of centrally positioned longitudinally extending gripping arms 13. The forward jaw-forming end portions 14 of said arms diverge slightly, remaining by their own resiliency normally in separated positions, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. the sides of the slot 7, in order to accommodate the same being correspondingly recessed as at 15. The outer end of the sleeve 6 is provided with a rectangular slot 16 through which the arms 13 project and by which they are retained in their proper relative positions to themselves and adjacent parts. 4 Said slot, as seen, limits the outward or supporting movement of the jaws to, the same being of such a length and the arms 18 of such form at their outer extremities that upon the withdrawal or the inward movement of the latter, the same will be forced together to a grasping position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. Further, said ends of said grasping arms are so formed that upon the secured ends of said arms being released, the former which through the inherent resiliency of the latter and which cause the same to forcibly engage opposing edges of the opening 16, will move or travel along said edges and return to normal or open position.

In order to use the device in connectlon with a. bowling ball it is required that a headed stud 17 be co-axially planted in the bottom of the thumb hole of the ball. sufficient space being left between the head of the stud and the bottom of the hole for free movement of the gripping jaws 14. From this explanation it will be understood that to lock the device and ball temporarily to gether the operator has only to insert the shank of the device into said cavity until the gripping jaws thereof are positioned below the head of the stud 17. Now, by grasping the hand piece of the device in a natural manner with the hand, placing the forefinger in front of or in engagement with the hooked outer end of the lever 10, and by drawing or rocking the latter rearwardly to a position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, said jaws will be rocked to grip the head of the stud. This being done it will be found that the device and the ball are securely held together and in which position they will remain so long as the pressure is exerted upon the lever. Therefore, to discharge the ball, all that is required, after maneuvering for the throw is to relax the grip on the lever just a little in the usual way, and the ball will be found to glide away smoothly and forcibly upon its destined course.

In using the improved grip which is formed so as to best fit the hand, the full strength of all the fingers combined will be utilized, the wrist and arm will remain in natural positions, and therefore no unusual strain or overwork will be required of any member alone. The gripping arms are preferably made of resilient metal, the upper or inner end portions being drawn out slender in the form of a spring and rive-ted to the lever 10, as shown. The lower or outer ends of said levers terminate in somewhat thickened and curved or bent portions for the purpose of better adapting the same to grasping.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a modified form of the device in which the jaw members are indicated, the same being preferably formed of round wire. The outer ends or jaws are shown pointed for the purpose of piercing, the bodies of said jaw-forming members being inclosed in a thin metallic tube 18 throughout substantially their entire length. the upper ends thereof being properly fastened to the lever 10. The lower pointed ends of said arms protruding through a somewhat flattened and enlarged end of said tube 18, it is evident that. when the same are drawn in by the lever 10 the points thereof will be forcibly thrust toward each other, thereby adapting the device to be used for slaughtering poultry, when they are confined. by reaching in and piercing them through the brain. This modified form together with others of the same general design. for the purpose of piercing, punching, cutting or holding, etc., is understood to be included within the scope of my invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a handle; a shank projecting therefrom at an obtuse angle; longi tudinally slidable arms in said shank; gripping "aws on the ends of said arms and projecting from said shank; means for forcing said jaws together upon retraction thereof; a lever pivoted in said handle and con nected with said arms; and a finger piece on said lever located just under said handle, substantially as described.

In a device of the class described, the combination of a handle; a shank projecting therefrom at an obtuse angle; longitudinally slidable arms in said shank; gripping jaws on the ends of said arms and projecting from said shank; means for forcing said jaws together upon retraction thereof; a lever pivoted in said handle and connected with said arms; and a widened finger piece on said lever located just under said handle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IVILLIAM DICKEY ROOP.

\Vitnesses M. O. Come, MEADE S. HAYS. 

